Even in the hands of a highly trained, experienced, and gifted physician, cataract surgery has possible risks and problems. Knowing what to expect following cataract surgery helps you avoid issues and notify your doctor if something goes wrong.
Before the operation, we will go over the surgical risks and side effects with you, as well as answer all your concerns. After your treatment, he will closely monitor your eyes’ healing for any issues.
Blurriness
Blurred vision is a typical side effect of cataract surgery. Fortunately, the haziness is generally just transitory and fades with time. If you have recurrent blurriness, you should consult your doctor. learn more about cataract complications at http://getridofeyewrinkles.net/what-are-the-symptoms-of-severe-complications-after-cataract-surgery/
Luminosity
Patients with light-colored eyes may have increased sensitivity to light after cataract surgery. Usually, this is only temporary and may be avoided by wearing sunglasses on sunny days. Light sensitivity that lasts longer than a few days may suggest an illness or inflammation.
Capsule Opacification
Around 30% of cataract surgery individuals develop posterior capsular opacification (secondary cataract). This happens when the membrane that used to hold your normal lens now holds your intraocular lens implant. Similar to primary cataracts, it can produce foggy or blurred vision.
Secondary cataracts can be corrected with simple laser surgery in the clinic. A YAG laser eliminates the damaged capsule portion, allowing light to enter the lens and reach the retina.
The YAG laser therapy usually improves vision within one to two days.
Irritation or Inflammation
After cataract surgery, some people have ocular inflammation or discomfort. Irritation that persists may necessitate treatment. Dr. Mark Mandel administers various eye drops to help prevent inflammation and infection following cataract surgery.
Cataract surgery is a common and safe technique that improves vision. Serious problems are rare among the 4 million cataract surgeries performed annually in the US.
While everyone’s recovery process is unique, there are several typical difficulties that arise during the healing process of the eyes.
Here are 10 common post-cataract surgery issues, their causes, and solutions.
Hazy vision
Some patients report blurred or hazy vision for days or weeks after cataract surgery. This is usually caused by natural eye swelling after surgery.
Larger, denser, or harder cataracts are more prone to inflammation. Initially, some patients may feel like they’re in a steam chamber.
What aids
Anti-inflammatory eye drops recommended by your ophthalmologist will assist. The swelling should go down and your vision should improve within a week. Patients with corneal illness, such as Fuchs dystrophy, may take up to a month to recover. learn more about corneal illness by clicking here
When to see a doctor
If the blurriness persists for a week, see an ophthalmologist. Other reasons of persistent fuzzy vision include residual refractive error, dry eye, or posterior capsule opacity (PCO).
Blepharitis
Almost all individuals suffer some dryness after cataract surgery. When your surgeon makes the incisions to reach your lens, a few nerves on the surface of your eye are damaged. The feedback loop tells your eye to generate lubricating tears. The nerves usually repair in three months, but until then, your eye may not feel dry, and tear output may drop. If you already have dry eyes before the surgery, you may get even drier. Dry eye can cause pain, sensitivity to light, and/or blurred vision.
What aids
Artificial tears without preservatives can treat mild dry eyes. Wait 5 minutes after applying prescription drops before using tears to avoid diluting the medication.
When to see a doctor
If OTC tears don’t work, talk to your ophthalmologist about additional options.
Discomfort/sense of something in the eye
After surgery, many patients complain of sand in their eyes or itchy eyes. The little incision in your eye is causing this feeling, which should go away in a week or so. It might continue up to three months if you have dry eyes. During cataract surgery, some individuals require an eye stitch. You shouldn’t mind, but sometimes sutures need to be removed following surgery.
Postcapsular opacity (PCO)
PCO, a somewhat common problem that can arise weeks, months, or even years following cataract surgery, can cause impaired vision. Lens capsule haze or wrinkles, causing eyesight blurring. PCO is caused by cells adhering to the membrane over time.
What aids
A YAG laser capsulotomy can cure this issue quickly and safely. An aperture in the clouded capsule will enable light to flow through for clear eyesight. An incision is not required.
Unwanted glare, halos, and other
After cataract surgery, many individuals encounter unexpected visual images (dyphotopsia). Positive dysphotopsia causes glare, halos, and light streaks. They are most common at night or in low light, particularly with multifocal lenses. These consequences are more obvious between first and second eye surgeries. Positive dysphotopsia is caused by residual refractive error, which may be corrected using glasses. Sometimes PCO is the problem, and YAG laser therapy can help.
What aids
If none of these issues exist yet glare and halos continue, your ophthalmologist may prescribe night drops to assist eliminate unpleasant visuals.
After surgery, some patients experience an arc of light or a crescent-shaped shadow. Negative dysphotopsia affects about 15% of patients. Doctors are unsure about the cause. Dysphotopsia often resolves on its own after a few months.
When to see a doctor
If dysphotopsia persists after 3-4 months, your ophthalmologist will recommend therapy.
Luminosity
Due to eye dryness, some light sensitivity is predicted after cataract removal. If your eyes squint or shut when exposed to light, it might be an indication of iritis or eye inflammation.
What aids
An ophthalmologist’s steroid drop can assist. Wear sunglasses for a few months until your iritis clears up. It usually occurs as you taper down your anti-inflammatory medications.
When to see a doctor
Dry eyes and blepharitis can induce light sensitivity. Other factors may need to be addressed. Light sensitivity might indicate illness. Call your ophthalmologist if you see this.
Nauseous or Confused
Nausea is a common side effect of IV anesthetic used for sedation. Post-operative nausea is common for a day or two.
What aids
Drinking lots of water and having a meal when you get home should help.
When to see a doctor
Ocular hypertension (high eye pressure) might make you feel nauseous. Special surgical gels can temporarily elevate ocular pressure. Glaucoma patients may have increased ocular pressure. A doctor should evaluate your ocular pressure the day following cataract surgery and treat you if necessary.
Eyes swollen
Post-operative redness or bloodshotness is frequent. It is usually caused by inflammation or a subconjunctival hemorrhage (broken blood vessel). While this may appear frightening, it is normally harmless and cures on its own. It occurs more commonly after laser cataract surgery, which uses suction on the eye. Blood reabsorption takes two to three weeks before the area totally disappears.
When to see a doctor
See your ophthalmologist if your eye redness is accompanied by discomfort, light sensitivity, or changes in vision.
